Fabric sign with tensioning means

ABSTRACT

A sign with a fabric, a frame profile and a clamping profile for a bar around which an edge portion of the fabric is wrapped. The frame profile is provided with a counter support forming a center of a pivot for the clamping profile. The clamping profile has a flange defining an assembly pocket for the bar with the edge portion of the fabric wrapped around it, and a support for engagement with the counter support to permit pivoting of the clamping profile about the pivot center. The flange and assembly pocket extend in a direction forming an angle of from 0° to 180° with the plane of the fabric and the assembly pocket has an inner stop for the bar, the stop spaced from the opening. The depth of the assembly pocket is less than the width of the bar so that an outer edge of the bar is located at a distance from the opening. The fabric extends around the outer edge of the bar and over a free edge of the flange in order in fabric stretched state to press the bar (with the edge portion of the fabric wrapped around it) against the stop.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a sign comprising a stand; two pairs offirst and second parallel support elements secured to the stand; afabric with edge sections and between them a sign surface forinformation, extending in a plane between the support elements, and barsaround which the edge portion of the fabric are wrapped and by means ofwhich bars the edge portions of the fabric are detachably joined to thesupport elements, at least the first support element in each pair ofsupport elements comprising a frame profile connected to the stand, anda clamping profile to support said bar provided with said edge portionof the fabric, said frame profile being provided with at least onecounter support arranged at an outer edge portion of the frame profilelocated near the plane of the fabric in order to form a center of pivotfor the clamping profile, the latter being provided with a flangearranged at an outer edge part of the clamping profile located near theplane of the fabric and defining an assembly pocket for receipt of thebar with the edge portion of the fabric wrapped around it via anopening, the clamping profile also being provided with a support memberarranged to be brought into engagement with said counter support topermit pivoting of the clamping profile in relation to the frame profileabout said center of pivot to a final position behind the plane of thefabric while clamping the fabric in relation to the second one of thetwo support elements, said second support element comprising a flangeand an assembly pocket formed thereby and having the same shapes andfunctions as the equivalent elements of the first support element.

The European patents EP-0 114 453 and EP-0 268 308 describe signs inwhich the outer edges of the fabric are wrapped around retaining barswhich are thereafter inserted in a recess in each of a plurality offabric-retaining elements adjustably secured by bolts to the rod-shapedframe profiles. When the bolts extending through a vertical flange oneach fabric-retaining element are tightened, the fabric is stretched.The frame-profile rods are provided with a longitudinal slit facing thefabric, the opposing sides of the slit having longitudinal grooves orridges to provide a grip for the thread of each bolt. Such anarrangement for tensioning the fabric requires holes for the bolts to bedrilled or punched in the flanges of the fabric-retaining elements, aswell as the use of bolts requiring a certain amount of time for assemblyand adding considerably to the material and assembly costs of atension-fabric sign.

Signs with a different system of frame profile rods are sold under thename of Signcomp Tensioning System by Designtone Limited, England. Thedesign of the frame profile rods here is even more complicated andincludes at least one, but in some case two, longitudinal closedchannels, which makes them expensive to manufacture. When the fabric isto be tensioned its edge is folded over a bar, short in relation to thelength of the fabric, having a shallow U-shaped cross section, and anextremely complicated clip is snapped over it. The ends of the clip areprovided with longitudinal teeth and are intended to be insertedlaterally into a longitudinal open channel arranged in the frame profilerod. The cross-sectional dimensions of the channel are designed to suitthe clip and one side of the channel is provided with teeth or ridges tocooperate with the teeth on the clip. The fabric is tensioned bypressing the clip into the open channel with the aid of a tensioningtool, and the tension in the fabric inclines the clip in the channel sothat the fabric is firmly clamped between the clip and the opposing sideof the channel.

Signs with a similar sign assembly are known through the patentspecifications U.S. Pat. No. 4,937,961 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,216.However, the clips are manufactured by punching a blank out of resilientsheet metal and bending the punched blank. Instead of the longitudinalteeth at the ends of the clips, a fold bent along the entire length hasthe same function. Furthermore, the relatively short strip with shallowU-shaped cross section has instead a substantially rectangular crosssection with one long side edge symmetrically bevelled and the othersurfaces having longitudinal ridges located close together.

The patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,039 describes a sign with supportelements, each of which has a plurality of short clamping devices andcooperating locking devices. Each clamping device is provided with anassembly pocket of circular form and an opening directed obliquely tothe plane of the fabric. The opening is defined by two opposing flangesand its width is less than the thickness of the locking device, thelatter thereby being retained inside the assembly pocket. The lockingdevice consists of a cylindrical sleeve to be surrounded by an edgeportion of the fabric which runs in to and out of the assembly pocket tobe firmly clamped by the sleeve against the flanges when the sheet istensioned. The locking sleeve is inserted into the assembly pocket fromthe side. The arrangement entails a complicated assembly of first theedge portions of the fabric and then the locking sleeves which areinserted in folds of the edge portions of the fabric which are difficultto maintain until the locking sleeves are in their operative positions.It will be seen that the tension force will be unevenly distributedalong the fabric since it is clamped pointwise and not continuously, thefabric thus having folds or wavy portions. The arrangement also entailscomplicated retensioning of the fabric since it must be releasedpointwise at each locking sleeve which must be disengaged from itsoperative position, i.e. completely removed from the fabric and assemblypocket. The assembly procedure cannot be automated for a sign describedin this U.S. patent.

Purely generally it can be stated that tension-fabric signs have beenknown for several decades. However, it is only recently that they havebegun to be used more generally since both the fabric material and theassembly system for tensioning the fabrics have been improved. However,the known assembly systems and the frame profile rods used for them arerelatively complicated and this is reflected in the cost of a finishedtension-fabric sign. The work of retensioning the fabrics is alsocomplicated.

The object of the present invention is to provide a sign enabling lowermanufacturing and assembly costs, simpler retensioning of the fabric andhaving continuous engagement between fabric and clamping profiles sothat the fabric remains uniformly tensioned.

The sign according to the present invention is characterized in that inits said final position the flange and assembly pocket of the clampingprofile extend in a direction forming an angle of from 0° to 180° withthe plane of the fabric; that the assembly pocket has an inner stop forthe bar with the edge portion of the fabric wrapped around it spacedfrom the opening; that the depth of the assembly pocket, measuredbetween the opening and the stop is less than the width of the bar sothat an outer edge of the bar is located at a predetermined distancefrom and outside the opening; and that the fabric is arranged so that asection thereof extends around the outer edge of the bar and over a freeedge of the flange in order in stretched state to press the bar with theedge portion of the fabric wrapped around it against the stop to clampthe edge portion of the fabric between the bar and the stop.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an end view of a part of a sign according to a firstembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an end portion of parts of a signaccording to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an end portion of parts of a signaccording to a third embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to FIG. 1 it is shown therein a part, which may be afront part of a sign comprising a stand (not shown), a first pair ofhorizontal, parallel elongate first and second support elements 1, 66carried by the stand, and a fabric 2 extending in a plane P between thetwo support elements 1, 66, on which the fabric is assembled instretched state. The support elements 1, 66 are connected at the ends tothe vertical, parallel support elements (not shown) of a second pair,thus forming a uniform frame. The upper support element 1 comprises aframe profile 3, a clamping profile 4 and a member (not shown) forlocking the clamping profile 4 to the frame profile 3. The frame profile3 has a plane form and is provided with a counter support 5 forming acenter of pivot C for the clamping profile 4. The counter support 5constitutes an extension of the outer edge portion 18 of the frameprofile 3, said extension being curved so that the free edge 6 of thecounter support 5 faces away from the plane P of the fabric and achannel is formed to retain the clamping profile 4 against the framesection 3. The clamping profile 4 has a plane form and is provided withan assembly pocket 7 which has its opening 8 facing away from the planeP of the fabric 2, seen in the final position of the clamping profilewhen maximum tension force is obtained. The assembly pocket 7, which hasa bottom 67 is formed by a flange 19 which constitutes an extension ofthe outer edge portion 9 of the clamping profile 4, the flange 19 thusbeing bent backwards and having a plane section 10 which is suitablyparallel to the waist section 11 of the clamping profile 4, and a bentsection 12 adjusted to the curvature of the counter support 5 andforming a support member. The assembly pocket 7 has an inner stoplocated some distance from the opening 8. The stop may be formed by theactual bottom 67 of the assembly pocket but since such a stop isnon-yielding a resilient stop is preferred for most applications. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 1 this is formed by an inner constriction 68 inthe assembly pocket 7 and is spaced from the bottom 67. The constrictionis formed by an inner inclined surface of an inclined section 69extending between said straight and curved sections 10, 12.

The fabric 2 is intended to be clamped to each support element 1 bymeans of a locking member in the form of an elongate bar 13, aroundwhich an edge portion 14 of the fabric 2 is intended to be wrapped asshown in FIG. 1. The depth of the assembly pocket 7, measured betweenthe opening 8 and the constriction 68, is less than the width of the bar13 so that a section 15 of the fabric 2 extends around the outer edge 16to the free edge 17 of the flange 19 in the direction obliquely towardsthe extended plane P of the fabric 2. The tension force in the fabric 2will thus work against the outer edge 16 of the bar 13, thereby pressingthe bar 13 into the assembly pocket 7 and clamping the fabric 2 betweenthe bar and the curved section 12 of the flange 19. A self-lockingeffect is thus produced and this effect increases proportionally withincreasing tension force in the fabric 2. The shown embodiment with aninclined surface 68 is preferred since, due to the wedge action, itretains the bar 13 with the wrapped edge portion 14 of the fabric duringthe initial stages of assembly before the fabric 2 comes under tension,and also since, when the fabric 2 is subsequently in stretched state andis subjected to external strain, such as strong winds, there is lessrisk of the fabric tearing since the bar can be pressed further into theassembly pocket when the tension in the fabric temporarily increases,thanks to the fact that the stop 68 is resilient instead ofnon-yielding. The bar 13 with the edge portion 14 of the fabric wrappedaround it can easily be inserted into the assembly pocket 7 via theopening 8 along the entire length thereof, i.e. perpendicularly to theopening, and without obstruction.

During assembly the bar 13 with the edge portion 14 of the fabricwrapped around it is inserted into the assembly pocket 7 of the clampingprofile 4, and the clamping profile 4 is moved towards the frame profile3 so that it forms an acute angle therewith and so that its flange 19 isbrought into abutment against the counter support 5 of the frame profile3, after which the clamping profile 4 is pressed down towards the frameprofile 3 with a pivoting movement about the centre of pivot C of thecounter support 5. The clamping profile 4 functions as a lever, therebyproducing increased tension in the fabric 2 when the clamping profile 4is pressed down against the frame profile 3. If additional tension isdesired, the clamping profile 4 is turned back and the bar 13 removedfrom the assembly pocket 7 through the opening 8. The bar 13 is thenturned a half revolution so that another section of the edge portion 14of the fabric is wrapped around the bar 13 and the clamping operation isrepeated. It is assumed that the opposite edge portion of the fabric 2has already been secured to the other support element 66. The clampingprofile 4 and the visible edge portion of the fabric may then be coveredby a cover profile (not shown), the cover profile and clamping profile 4then being secured to the frame profile 3 by suitable attachment means(not shown), e.g. screws.

With reference to FIG. 2 it is shown therein front and rear parts 62, 65of a sign comprising a stand 20, a support element 21 carried by thestand 20 and included in a first pair of horizontal, parallel supportelements, only one of which is shown, and a fabric 22 extending in aplane P between the two support elements 21 on which the fabric ismounted in stretched state. The ends of the two support elements arejoined to the vertical, parallel support elements (not shown) of asecond pair, thereby forming a uniform frame which is secured to therear part 62 of the sign. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 the standconsists of a plurality of brackets 23 and a plurality of assembly tubes(not shown), each assembly tube carrying two brackets 23 (a lower and anupper one). The upper support element 21 comprises a frame profile 24, aclamping profile 25 and means 26 for locking the clamping section 25 tothe frame profile 24. Each bracket 23 has a foot 27 for receipt in aninternal groove 28 of the frame profile 24 in order to fix the supportelement 21 firmly to the bracket 23. Said groove 28 is defined outwardlyby the opposing outer and inner flanges 29, 30 of the frame profile 24.The heel 31 of the foot 27 has an inclined surface 32 which, duringassembly, slides against the outer flange 29 of the frame profile 24 sothat, by means of a relative turning movement about its toe section 33,the foot 27 can be pressed into the groove 28 and finally locked inposition by the flange 29 snapping in behind the heel 31 of the foot 27.

The frame profile 24 has an inner edge part 34 facing away from theplane P of the fabric, an outer edge part 35 facing towards the plane Pof the fabric and a waist part 36 extending between said edge parts 34,35. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 the edge parts 34, 35 aredisplaced so that they lie in different planes and the waist part 36thus has a first main section 37 located in the same plane as the inneredge part 34 with no visible break between, and a second, smallersection 38 forming a right angle with the main section 37. The outeredge part 35 is parallel with the main section 37. Said outer flange 29which, together with the inner flange 30, defines said internal groove28 for the foot 27 of the bracket, extends obliquely down from the outeredge part 35 in the direction away from the plane P of the fabric 22.The outer edge part 35 has a free side edge 39 which is rounded andforms an edge over which the fabric 22 is bent, the fabric extending insaid plane P between the frame profiles 24 of the two support elements21. The clamping profile 25 is provided with an assembly pocket 42 withits opening 43 facing away from the plane P of the fabric, viewed in thefinal position of the clamping profile, when maximum tension force hasbeen achieved. The assembly pocket 42, which has a bottom 70, is formedby the outer edge part 40 of the clamping profile 25 which is bentbackwards in a flange 44 having a plane section 45 that is suitablyparallel with a plane waist part 46 of the clamping profile 25, and acurved section 52. The assembly pocket 42 is thus located in a plane atright angles to the plane of the fabric 22. The assembly pocket 42 hasan inner stop spaced from the opening 43. The stop may be formed by theactual bottom 70 of the assembly pocket but since such a stop isnon-yielding a resilient stop is preferred for most applications. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 2 this is formed by an inner constriction 71 inthe assembly pocket 42 and is spaced from the bottom 70. Theconstriction is formed by an inner inclined surface of an inclinedsection 72 extending between said plane and curved sections 45, 52.

The fabric 22 is intended to be clamped to each support element 21 bymeans of a locking member in the form of an elongate bar 47, aroundwhich an edge portion 48 of the fabric 22 is designed to be wrapped asshown in FIG. 2. The depth of the assembly pocket 42, measured betweenthe opening 43 and the constriction 71, is less than the width of thebar 47 so that a section 49 of the fabric 22 extends from the outer edge50 of the bar 47 to the free edge 51 of the flange 44 in a directionobliquely to the extended plane P of the fabric 22. A tension force inthe fabric 22 will thus work against the outer edge 50 of the bar 47,thereby pressing the bar 47 into the assembly pocket 42 and clamping thefabric 22 between the bar and the curved section 52 of the flange 44. Aself-locking effect is thus produced and this effect increasesproportionally with increasing tension force in the fabric 22. The shownembodiment with an inclined surface 71 is preferred since, due to thewedge action, it retains the bar 47 with the edge portion 48 of thefabric wrapped around it during the initial stages of assembly beforethe fabric 22 comes under tension, and also since, when the fabric 22 issubsequently in stretched state and is subjected to external strain,such as strong winds, there is less risk of the fabric tearing since thebar can be pressed further into the assembly pocket when the tension inthe fabric temporarily increases, thanks to the fact that the stop 71 isresilient instead of non-yielding. The bar 47 with the edge portion 14of the fabric wrapped around it can easily be inserted into the assemblypocket 42 via the opening 43 along the entire length thereof, i.e.perpendicularly to the opening, and without obstruction.

The clamping profile 25 is also provided with a support member in theform of a support flange 53 extending from the plane waist part 46 inthe vicinity of the flange 44 and on the side of the waist part 46facing away from said flange 44. The support flange 53 forms a rightangle with the waist part 46 and its free end portion 54 is bent to forman engagement foot. The frame profile 24 has two counter supports 55arranged on the outer edge part 35, each forming a center of pivot C forthe clamping profile 25. The counter support 55 is shaped as a curvedflange, the free end edge of which is directed backwards away from theplane P of the fabric 22 so that a groove 57 is formed inside the flange55 for receipt of the engagement foot 54 of the clamping profile 25. Ascan be seen in FIG. 2, the two counter supports 55 are arranged oneafter the other.

During assembly the bar 47 with the edge portion 48 of the fabricwrapped around it is inserted into the assembly pocket 42 of theclamping profile 25, and the support flange 53 is brought intoengagement with, e.g. the outermost of the two counter supports 55 bythe engagement foot 54 being inserted into the groove 57 of the countersupport 55. In this initial stage the waist part 46 of the clampingprofile 25 forms an acute angle with the waist part 36 of the frameprofile 24. The clamping profile 25 is then pressed towards the frameprofile 24 with a pivoting movement about the center of pivot C of thecounter support 55. The clamping profile 25 functions as a lever,thereby producing increased tension in the fabric. If additional tensionis desired, the clamping profile 25 is turned back and the bar 53 ismoved to the next groove 57 to engage with the second counter support 55and the clamping operation is repeated, so that the tension state shownin FIG. 2 is achieved. It is assumed that the opposite edge portion (notshown) of the fabric 22 has already been secured to the other (notshown) of the two support elements 21. Additionally or alternatively thebar 47 may be removed from the assembly pocket 42 through the opening 43and another section of the fabric can be wrapped around it as describedearlier for the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

Said members 26 for locking the clamping profile 25 to the frame profile24 comprise a cover profile 58 having edge portion with inwardly turnedbeadings 59, 60 for engagement with in the one case the free side edge39 of the frame profile, clamping the fabric 22 therebetween, and in theother case with an outwardly directed bead 61 on the inner edge part 34of the frame profile 24. The locking members 26 also suitably includeloose attachment means such as screws screwed into the frame profile 24and securing the cover profile 58 and clamping profile 25 to the frameprofile 24. The front part 65 of the sign assembled in this manner isthen screwed to the rear part 62 to produce the finished sign, the rearpart 62 suitably containing light fittings for illumination of thefabric 22 in order to obtain an illuminated sign. In an alternativeembodiment, not shown, the frame profile is provided with a U-shapedchannel located at the inner edge of the frame profile and facinginwardly towards the plane of the fabric for receipt of a plane end partof the cover profile in order to retain it. In this case the supportflange is shortened and the waist part 46 of the clamping profile islocated closer to the groove 28 of the frame profile, the main section37 having been moved down on a level with the edge part 35.

With reference to FIG. 3 it is shown therein rear and front parts 62, 65of a sign similar to that shown in FIG. 2, except that the frame profile24 has been provided with even more counter supports 55 defining grooves57 for the receipt of the support flange 53 of the clamping profile 25.Thereby it is possible to repeat the tensioning operation in additionalsteps until sufficient tension in the fabric is obtained. The clampingprofile 25 is also provided with a locking flange 63 which is parallelto the support flange 53 and located outside this at a distancecorresponding to the distance between two counter supports 55 on theframe profile 24. The free end portion of the locking flange 63 is inthe form of an outwardly directed bead 64 arranged to be brought intolocking engagement with a counter support 55 behind it when the clampingprofile 25 is brought to abutment with the frame profile 24, as shown inFIG. 3. The innermost counter support 55a only cooperates in a lockingfunction with the locking flange 63 when the support flange 53 is inengagement with the fourth counter support 55b.

The second support element may have the same shape as the describedfirst support element 1, 21. However, it can be considerably simplifiedby omitting a special clamping profile, the essential element of whichfor securing the fabric is instead formed in the uniform support elementas shown in FIG. 1. The other support element 66 thus in itself consistsof a frame profile to secure the fabric and comprises a flange 19a andan assembly pocket 7a defined by the flange. These parts have the sameshapes and functions as the equivalent elements 19 and 7, respectively,in the first support element 1. According to FIG. 1 the simplifiedsupport element 66 is arranged lowermost. However, it is normallyarranged as an upper support element and the support element 1 providedwith the clamping profile is then the lower support element. Accordingto another embodiment of the second support element it comprises aclamping device of any type whatsoever, e.g. a clamping profile of thetype described, but arranged to be displaced in its plane in order toachieve the clamping effect, and secured by means of toothed engagementbetween opposing profile surfaces, for instance.

The bar 13, 47 has an oblong cross section, preferably rectangular crosssection, with essentially greater length than width (as regards the bar:essentially greater width than thickness). The bar is made of a suitableplastic material. It is bending resistant in cross section but flexiblelongitudinally so it can be bent to a roll. It is preferably attached tothe fabric by suitable attachment means, preferably glue. Thisattachment is preferably effected when the fabric is prepared fordelivery, in which case the finished unit of fabric and bars is rolledup for delivery to the assembly site where it is to be used. Thanks tothe design of the support elements with assembly pockets 7, 42accessible through free, wide openings 8, 43 from a direction facing theplane of the fabric and from a position behind the plane of the fabricalong the entire length of the assembly pocket 7, 42 from end to end,the unit of fabric and bars can be assembled using a tool carrying thisroll unit which is moved along the two horizontal support elements 1,66; 21 while the upper edge portion of the fabric, glued to the bar andwrapped around it, is automatically fed into the upper assembly pocket7, 42 when the assembly tool with the bar-fabric unit is moved along thesupport elements.

The bar used for mounting the fabric can be supplied in any lengths.However, the length of each piece is preferably greater than 0.5 m. Barsseveral meters in length, e.g. up to 7-8 m, may advantageously be used,depending on the delivery and storage facilities.

The term "profile" in the various contexts means an elongate,continuous, stable construction element having the same cross-sectionalshape in all cross sections taken between its ends. The length of eachprofile corresponds to the length and height, respectively, of the sign.The profiles are normally produced by means of extrusion, in any casewhen the shapes are as complicated as in the embodiments shown in FIGS.2 and 3. For the embodiment according to FIG. 1 the profiles can beproduced by bending a rigid sheet metal blank.

In the embodiments shown the flange 19; 44 and assembly pocket 7; 42extend in a direction perpendicular to the plane P of the fabric, viewedin the final position of the clamping profile 4; 25, i.e. when maximumtension force in the fabric has been achieved. Such a substantiallyperpendicular alignment is particularly preferred for large signs, i.e.several meters in length, since no building height exists. If thealignment generally is 0°-180°, the building height will extend outsidethe 90° angle, which can be accepted for smaller signs.

We claim:
 1. A sign comprising:a stand having two pairs of first andsecond parallel support elements secured thereto; a fabric having edgeportions, and an information-containing sign surface between said edgeportions, said sign surface extending in a plane between said supportelements; a plurality of elongated bars for detachably joining saidfabric to said support elements, said edge portions of said fabricwrapped around said bars, and said bars received by said supportelements, each of said bars having a width, and an outer edge; each ofsaid first of said support elements in each pair of support elementscomprising a frame profile connected to said stand, and a clampingprofile to support one of said bars; said frame profile including atleast one counter support disposed at an outer edge portion of saidframe profile and positioned near said plane, and providing a pivotcenter for said clamping profile; said clamping profile including aflange at an outer edge part thereof positioned adjacent said fabricplane, having a free edge, and defining a first assembly pocket with anopening for receipt of one of said bars and an inner stop, an edgeportion of said fabric wrapped around said bar and remote from saidopening; said assembly pocket having a depth, between said opening andsaid stop, said depth being less than said width of said bar so thatsaid outer edge of said bar is positioned a predetermined distance fromand exterior of said first assembly pocket and positioned so that asection of said fabric wraps around said outer edge of said bar and oversaid free edge of said flange so that said fabric is stretched andpresses said bar against said stop to clamp said edge portion of saidfabric between said bar and said stop; a support member positioned forengagement with said counter support to permit pivoting of said clampingprofile with respect to said frame profile about said pivot center to afinal position behind said fabric plane to tension said fabric whileclamping said fabric to said second support element, with said flangeand said assembly pocket extending in a direction forming an angle offrom 0-180° with respect to said fabric plane; and said second supportelement comprising a flange at an outer edge part thereof positionedadjacent said fabric plane and defining a second assembly pocket,substantially identical to said first assembly pocket, for receipt ofone of said bars.
 2. A sign as recited in claim 1 wherein each of saidinner stops is formed by a bottom portion of each of correspondingassembly pocket.
 3. A sign as recited in claim 2 wherein each saidflange of each of said clamping profiles comprises a bent extension ofsaid outer edge part of each corresponding clamping profile; and whereineach said flange of each of said clamping profiles has a curved sectionthat forms each corresponding support member for each correspondingcounter support; and wherein each said counter support comprises a bentextension of said outer edge portion of each corresponding frameprofile.
 4. A sign as recited in claim 2 wherein each said supportmember comprises a separate support flange extending from said outeredge part of each corresponding clamping profile in a direction distinctfrom a direction that each said flange forming each said first assemblypocket extends.
 5. A sign as recited in claim 1 wherein each of saidinner stops is formed by an inner constriction in each correspondingassembly pocket, each said inner constriction spaced from a bottomportion of each corresponding assembly pocket.
 6. A sign as recited inclaim 5 wherein each said inner constriction is formed by an innerinclined surface of an incline section of each said flange.
 7. A sign asrecited in claim 6 wherein each said flange of each of said clampingprofiles comprises a bent extension of said outer edge part of eachcorresponding clamping profile; and wherein each said flange of each ofsaid clamping profiles has a curved section that forms eachcorresponding support member for each corresponding counter support; andwherein each said counter support comprises a bent extension of saidouter edge portion of each corresponding frame profile.
 8. A sign asrecited in claim 6 wherein each said support member comprises a separatesupport flange extending from said outer edge part of each correspondingclamping profile in a direction distinct from a direction that each saidflange forming each said first assembly pocket extends.
 9. A sign asrecited in claim 1 wherein each said flange of each of said clampingprofiles comprises a bent extension of said outer edge part of eachcorresponding clamping profile; and wherein each said flange has acurved section that forms each corresponding support member for eachcorresponding counter support; and wherein each said counter supportcomprises a bent extension of said outer edge portion of eachcorresponding frame profile.
 10. A sign as recited in claim 9 whereinwhen said fabric is fully stretched, each said flange and each assemblypocket opening extends and faces away from said fabric plane.
 11. A signas recited in claim 1 wherein each said support member comprises aseparate support flange extending from said outer edge part of eachcorresponding clamping profile in a direction distinct from a directionthat each said flange forming each said first assembly pocket extends.12. A sign as recited in claim 11 wherein each said support flange formssubstantially a right angle to said outer edge part of eachcorresponding clamping profile.
 13. A sign as recited in claim 1 whereinwhen said fabric is fully stretched, each said flange and each assemblypocket opening extends and faces away from said fabric plane.
 14. A signas recited in claim 13 wherein each said flange extends and each saidassembly pocket opening opens in a direction substantially perpendicularto said fabric plane.
 15. A sign as recited in claim 1 wherein each saidbar is positively secured to said fabric at each edge portion of saidfabric.
 16. A sign as recited in claim 15 wherein at least one of saidbars is glued to said fabric.
 17. A sign as recited in claim 15 whereineach said bar is elongated in a dimension of elongation, and is bendingresistant in a dimension transverse to said dimension of elongation, andflexible in said dimension of elongation; and wherein said plurality ofbars and fabric form a roll which may be rolled in a rolling actionalong said sign by an assembly tool which automatically inserts a bar inan assembly pocket during said rolling action.
 18. A sign as recited inclaim 1 wherein each of said bars has a rectangular cross-section with agreater width than thickness.
 19. A sign as recited in claim 18 whereineach of said bars is formed by at least one piece, each piece having alength of at least 0.5 meters.
 20. A sign as recited in claim 1 whereineach of said bars is formed by at least one piece, each piece having alength of at least 0.5 meters.